AN ACTRESS who went down in Brookside’s soap history looks unrecognisable 28 years after her controversial incest storyline hit the small screen.
The long-running programme, which was broadcast on Channel 4 and also featured the likes of now-Corrie star Claire Sweeney, 53, wrapped for good in November 2003.
Yet it was Helen Grace’s incest storyline in 1996, when her character Georgia Simpson was involved in an incestuous relationship with her younger brother Nat, which kick-started her career.
At the time Helen, now 53, told how she took on the Brookside role “for the experience.”
Their uncomfortable relationship was seen developing during a fishing trip.
Helen’s character sported shoulder-length blonde hair and natural make-up, similar to her current appearance off-screen years later.
She left Brookside in 1997, before moving on to BBC One show Roger Roger.
The Hertfordshire-born star then went on to bag roles in a host of well-loved shows including Lewis, Midsomer Murders, Bad Girls and Cold Feet.
Most recently, she showed off her age-defying look in CBBC series Hetty Feather.
Despite playing an older character, a hospital benefactor named Lady Asquith, her natural beauty shines through.
Yet she looked unrecognisable in her role as Lady Asquith – a character who was often seen wearing a bonnet hat, with her hair pinned into curls underneath.
A blouse and cardigan were also her uniform of choice.
She departed following Hetty Feather’s second season, with her storyline seeing her move to New York.
Off-screen, Helen is a mum-of-two.
She is married to British actor Timothy Watson, who starred in BBC Radio 4 drama, The Archers, in 2016.
Timothy, who played Rob Titchener, recently compared his role and life with on-air wife, Helen, to his real-life one.
Addressing his cruel and manipulative character he said: “Believe me, I’m nothing like him.
“Honestly, I couldn’t be more different from Rob.
“Well, except that we both have wives called Helen.”
He added to MailOnline at the time: “How would my real life wife Helen react if I began behaving like Rob at home?
“She would spot it in an instant and would run a mile.
“If I started moaning there was nothing for dinner and nothing in the fridge, she would probably end up slapping me.
“That stuff would never work with my real wife Helen.”
